(Sources: VOM sources, Christian Solidarity Worldwide)
More than 10 villages outside the city in Jos, Plateau State, Nigeria, were attacked on July 7, leaving dozens of people dead. Hundreds of Fulani Muslims, many of them wearing military camouflage and bulletproof vests, invaded the villages in the early morning, killing at least 25 people. Several were hospitalized while over a hundred were displaced and sought shelter at churches.
The majority of victims were women, children, and the elderly.
A mass burial was organized for the following day. While those mourning proceeded to the site, they found the burned bodies of approximately 50 others in a torched church building. The victims had reportedly sought shelter at the church after fleeing their homes. During the funeral service, assailants attacked the crowd. Among those killed were two politicians. The total death toll is reported to be over 100 people. Following the attack, angry youths protested in the streets.
Please pray the Lord will heal and restore those who have suffered as a result of these attacks. Pray that Fulani Muslims will know Christ's love, forgiveness and blessing through the lives of the Christians (Romans 12:14, 21). Pray for wisdom and guidance for Nigeria's Christian president, Goodluck Jonathan, and for all those who serve with him as leaders of this nation. Pray that Christians will not retaliate but will demonstrate Christ's love and peace.
Go to the
Nigeria Country Report for more on our persecuted brothers and sisters in Nigeria. To post a prayer of solidarity with Nigerian Christians, visit out
Persecuted Church Prayer Wall.
Christians arrested, dismissed from jobs in Laos
(Sources: Compass Direct News, Human Rights Watch for Lao Religious Freedom)
Lao officials arrested two Lao and two Thai Christians in Luang Namtha Province in June, seizing them from a private residence in Long district. A resident of the village witnessed the Thai Christians, brothers Jonasa and Phanthakorn Wiwatdamrong, explaining Bible passages to enquirers in a private home. He then reported their presence to police. Police raided the home, confiscating the brothers' passports along with biblical literature and Christian CDs. They have reportedly been charged with "spreading the Christian faith without official approval." Jonasa and Phanthakorn, along with two local residents, one identified by the single name Chalar and the other as yet unidentified, were taken directly to Luang Namtha provincial prison.
Elsewhere, the military commander of Phin district, Savannakhet Province, discharged two members of the Alowmai village security force, identified by the single names Khamsorn and Tonglai, for converting to Christianity.
Thank the Lord for the faithfulness of these believers. Ask Him to give them the faith to stand firm during this trial. Pray they will take comfort in the fact that God commends those who suffer for doing good (1 Peter 2:20-21). Pray they will be witnesses of the gospel to their persecutors.
For more information about persecution in Laos, go to the
Laos Country Report.
Update: Pastor's sentence upheld in Iran
(Sources: Elam Ministries, Christian Solidarity Worldwide, VOM-USA)
Iran's Revolutionary Court recently upheld Pastor Farshid Fathi's six-year sentence for "political offences," forcing him to complete a prison term that began more than 18 months ago. Farshid was arrested in December 2010 for his Christian work, convicted of being the chief agent of foreign organizations in Iran and of administrating funds for foreign organizations (for more on his arrest,
click here).
Both the verdict and sentence were upheld on appeal, and he will serve the remainder of his sentence in section 350 of Evin Prison. According to Elam Ministries, Farshid has become a shining beacon for Christ in Evin prison. The son of an Iranian Ayatollah has commented on Farshid's sweet nature in a video available on YouTube, remarking on how beloved Farshid is amongst the inmates.
Pray that God will grant Farshid endurance as he continues to bring light to those in Evin prison during the remainder of his sentence. Pray that his testimony will encourage other Christians throughout Iran. Pray that God will comfort Farshid's wife, Leila, and their two children, Rosana and Bardia. Pray that God will bless the Church in Iran.
For more on Iran's persecuted Church, please visit the
Iran Country Report.
Parliament considers tighter censorship in Kyrgyzstan
(Source: Forum 18 News Service)
Kyrgyzstan's parliament is considering amendments to the country's restrictive Religion Law which would tighten state censorship. The existing censorship -- like other parts of the Religion Law -- breaks the country's international human rights commitments. Lawyers from various religious communities, who wished to remain anonymous for fear of state reprisals, have said that the amendments would have the effect of imposing total censorship on all religious literature and similar material.
The existing Religion Law, passed in 2009, did not impose prior compulsory censorship of all religious literature. However, it allows state examination of any religious literature and requires state examination of all religious materials placed in a library. Distribution of any religious materials is permitted only within the confines of a religious organization's legally owned property or in places allocated by local authorities. (For more information on the current Religion Law, click here.)
If the proposed amendment is passed, anyone wanting to import, publish or distribute religious literature will have to seek prior permission from the authorities. The text of the amendment is set to be finalized in September.
Pray that these amendments are rejected. Pray that the Lord will empower believers in Kyrgyzstan to lovingly and boldly proclaim the gospel (Ephesians 6:18-20). Pray for wisdom for the country's leaders, and pray that they will come to know Jesus Christ as their Saviour.
Go to the
Kyrgyzstan Country Report to learn more about opposition in Kyrgyzstan.
